The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU investors to obtain Portuguese residency through qualifying investments in the country.

The program offers access to the Schengen Area, the right to live and work in Portugal, and a potential path to Portuguese citizenship after five years, subject to legal requirements.

One of the program’s key advantages is its minimal stay requirement. Investors are generally required to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain residency.

Portugal’s Golden Visa remains a widely used option for international investors seeking European residency, travel flexibility, and long-term global mobility.

Minimal Stay Requirement
Investors typically need to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain residency status.

Family Inclusion
The program allows applicants to include spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents within the same application.

Schengen Area Travel
Golden Visa holders can travel visa-free throughout the 29 countries of the Schengen Area.

Path to EU Citizenship
After five years of legal residency, investors may apply for Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship, subject to eligibility requirements.

Right to Live, Work and Study
Residency permits allow holders and their families to live, work, and study anywhere in Portugal.

Following the 2023 housing reform (“Mais Habitação”), real estate investments no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program.

Property purchases in Portugal may still be attractive financial investments, but they do not automatically grant eligibility for the Golden Visa.

Investors interested in both residency and property opportunities often pursue Golden Visa-eligible investments separately from real estate investments.

📅 The 5-Year Path to Portuguese Citizenship

Year 0
Make a qualifying investment and submit the Golden Visa application.

Years 1–5
Maintain the investment and fulfill the minimum stay requirement (typically about 7 days per year).

After Year 5
Apply for Permanent Residency or Portuguese Citizenship, provided legal requirements are met.

Citizenship Requirement:
Applicants must demonstrate basic Portuguese language knowledge (A2 level).

To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, applicants generally must:

• Be a non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss citizen
• Maintain a clean criminal record
• Provide documentation proving the legal origin of investment funds
• Maintain valid health insurance during residency

With real estate removed from eligibility, the investment fund pathway has become the most common Golden Visa strategy.

Potential advantages may include:

• Simplified management compared with property ownership
• Diversified investment exposure through regulated funds
• Professional management of the underlying investment
• Potential tax advantages depending on the investor’s tax residency status

All Golden Visa funds must be regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

Although property investments no longer qualify for the Golden Visa, Portugal remains one of Europe’s most attractive real estate markets for international investors.

Investors may choose to pursue real estate opportunities for financial returns, while separately using eligible Golden Visa investment structures for residency purposes.

The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.

Immigration laws and investment regulations may change. Investors should always consult qualified legal and financial professionals before making any investment or immigration decision.